Man Utd, Man City… winners and loser of UCL group stages
As the curtains draw on the group stage phase of the UCL (UEFA Champions league) football, join us in reliving the important moments, standout performances, and dramatic twists that have defined the journey of top clubs vying for glory on the biggest European football club stage. From nail-biting encounters to unexpected upsets, this review encapsulates the thrill and suspense that only the Champions League can deliver.
Manchester United 0 vs Bayern Munich 1
The season is not get any easier for Manchester United as they were dumped out of the Champions League, and European football entirely by Bayern Munich team with a 1-0 scoreline at Old Trafford.
Bayern extended their Champions League records to nine consecutive away group stage victories and 40 consecutive group match victories without a loss when Kingsley Coman struck halfway through the second half of a hard-fought match at Old Trafford.
It was almost impossible for Erik ten Hag’s team to survive the competition after Copenhagen defeated Galatasaray in the other match. They already required a miracle before the game even started. To be able to advance to the Round of 16, they had to defeat Bayern and hope for a draw in the other match.
United’s record in Group A was one win, one draw, four losses, and a goal difference of -3, placing them bottom group for the first time since 2005/2006 season. Even though the United fans admirably offered support, such a performance from a top team deserved a more horrified response at the final whistle.
Borussia Dortmund 1 vs Paris Saint-Germain 1
In their final group match of the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 to guarantee second place and a spot in the knockout stage for Paris Saint-Germain.
Karim Adeyemi scored for the already-qualified German team in the 51st minute after PSG lost possession outside the box, after both teams wasted many excellent opportunities in the first half that ended in a goalless draw. Five minutes later, the French visitors equalised through Warren Zaire-Emery after a strong play from Kylian Mbappe, who also had an effort ruled offside in the 76th minute.
Dortmund finished first in the group with 11 points, PSG in second place with 8, and third-placed AC Milan will advance to the Europa League after their 2-1 victory over Newcastle United.
Union Berlin 2 vs Real Madrid 3
As the winners of Group C, Real Madrid had already secured their spot in the UEFA Champions League knockout stage, but they still had to fight back to preserve their perfect record in Europe.
Though Union Berlin gave it their all, Real Madrid’s victory in the end was probably a fair result. They weren’t the impression of a team coasting to the Round of 16 carelessly; instead, they played a serious match.
After Volland’s late-first-half strike gave the home team hope, Joselu scored Madrid’s first two goals. Real Madrid seemed to be safe after the two headers from the Spaniard, but Kral’s late goal gave the home crowd hope again. Just when it looked like the goal would have put an end to Madrid’s winning streak, Dani Ceballos won it in the dying seconds to save the day for the Spanish team.
PSV 1 vs Arsenal 1
Similar to Real Madrid, The Gunners had already qualifed from the group stage prior to kickoff, which allowed Mikel Arteta to give a few players a chance to play.
The Dutch team appeared to be the stronger team and was far more dangerous going forward as they had a lot of possession of the ball and numerous opportunities in the first twenty-five minutes of play. Arsenal appeared to be at a loss, as Arteta made numerous changes in the team in an attempt to rest some players and provide some much-needed playing time to fringe players. Arsenal weren’t looking as they are connecting in the first few minutes but they were defending well and trying to find their feet in the game.
Before Eddie Nketiah gave Arsenal the lead with his first-ever Champions League goal in 42nd minute of the game, the first half was looking destined to end in a scoreless draw. PSV got right to work trying to get back into the game after the break at and Within five minutes into the second half, the hosts equalised through a Yorbe Vertessen header after a Ricardo Pepi through pass. Considering that both teams advanced to the next round, they appeared content with a draw.
Royal anthwep 3 vs Barcelona 2
Barcelona started this game as clear favourites especially after their embarrassing defeat to Girona in their last lap liga game. It was expected that Xavi’s men will make a statement the Belgian champions, however, this matchup with Antwerp turned into a nightmare to the Spanish giants as they lost 3-2 in the final seconds of the match, to help the home team secure their first ever Champions League group stage victory.
Despite maintaining the lead in the group, Barça displayed a concerning weakness, typified by Oriol Romeu’s major errors that resulted in two goals-one within the first 90 seconds of the game. The loss was not only the team’s second straight setback but also expensive, costing 2.8 million euros, the sum that UEFA allots for every Champions League triumph.
FK Crvena Zvezda 2 vs Manchester City 3
On an important night for the club’s academy in Serbia, Manchester City’s Oscar Bobb and Micah Hamilton both scored to help Pep Guardiola’s team defeat Red Star Belgrade 3-2 and finish top of Group G with an undefeated record. They joined Liverpool as the only other English teams to ever win all six Champions League group stage games in a season without losing.
With a strong shot that smashed into the net, Hamilton opened the score. Bobb, making his first City start, then scored the second with a clinical finish. Red Star rallied with a goal from substitute In-Beom Hwang, but Hamilton won a late penalty kick, which Kalvin Phillips converted for his first goal for The Cityzens. Aleksandar Katai scored a header that kept the Serbian SuperLiga team in the match until the very end.
Also read: Man City’s first UCL, Messi’s 8th Ballon D’or… Unforgettable football moments of 2023
